Somewhere in Oregon…
The car stopped moving and Marcy opened her eyes.
It took her a moment to remember where she was and where she was going. She was in the back seat, next to her brother, James. George (aka her mate she rejected) was driving and Nora (aka her bestie who slept not only with the man Marcy should marry but with Marcy's father also) was in the front passenger's seat. They were heading to the Dark Howlers pack.
Marcy was not sure if this was a ride from hell or to hell, or maybe just between two hellish points.
They were supposed to leave earlier that morning, but Nora was late, so they had to wait for her, and they ended up leaving the Red Moon pack after lunch. Luna Layla (Marcy's mom) took this extended time to remind Marcy how a good Luna should bend to her Alpha's orders.
Marcy sneered while wondering if that includes looking the other way while her Alpha shags everything that wears a skirt. Or maybe her mother also has some extramarital adventures, but because she plays submissive, she was keeping those low-key. At that point, nothing would surprise Marcy.
Nora was quick to say that she wanted to sit in front, and Marcy had no objections. Marcy didn't want to sit next to Nora, and she definitely didn't want to sit next to George.
George was driving in silence, James put his earbuds on the moment the car started moving, and Marcy was not in the mood to socialize. Nora was chatting for all of them.
Marcy saw Nora repeatedly reaching to touch George's shoulder and arm, and a few times she also reached for his thigh. It was all like accidentally, as she spoke, but Marcy knew better. Marcy saw how Nora was looking at George in Alpha Edward's office. That slut wanted to sleep with George also!
Marcy's wolf was stirring and wanting to attack Nora for daring to put her hands on George, but Marcy pushed her down. How was she going to explain if she makes a scene?
Besides, she already rejected him, and George didn't accept the rejection, but he didn't forgive her either. On top of that, Marcy was going to the Dark Howlers pack in order to become Damon's Luna, and there was no place for Commander George in that picture.
The cards were dealt, and Marcy needed to make the most of it.
Marcy was reminding herself that the Red Moon pack was a horrible place, and this was her chance to make an exit, so she should behave a bit longer.
In order not to look at Nora's disgusting attempts to get George's attention, Marcy closed her eyes.
She was not really tired, but Georges's sweet scent of clover calmed Marcy's nerves and she ended up falling asleep.
Back to the present…
Marcy narrowed her eyes at the darkness. They left later than expected, but even with that, Marcy hoped they will reach the Dark Howlers pack before nighttime, but it was obviously night so she miscalculated.
The blaring red neon sign 'Motel' told her that they were not at their destination, and if they were close to it, they wouldn't stop there… wherever that place was.
"Is it time for dinner?", Marcy asked while rubbing her eyes.
"You are awake.", Nora stated the obvious. "Yes, it's time for dinner, and I booked us rooms for the night." She ended while waving her phone, indicating that she booked the rooms online.
Marcy frowned and glanced at her phone to check the time. It was close to nine o'clock PM. "Rooms? How far are we from the Dark Howlers pack?"
"I know you are eager to reach there, princess", George said dryly. "With the stop for food, we will reach there after midnight. It's better to stay in a hotel overnight. We will continue our trip after breakfast, and like this, we won't disturb our hosts in the middle of the night."
Marcy heard his condescending tone and she didn't want to argue with him. She glanced at James who was already out of the car and stretching. It seems that her brother didn't care when they will reach the Dark Howlers pack.
Well, Marcy wouldn't care either if not for Nora, but she couldn't talk to George, Nora was obviously eager to stay in a motel, and James was useless.
Marcy released a slow breath and opened the door to get out of the car.
She frowned at the desolate sight that greeted her.
Only four cars and several massive motorcycles were on the parking lot that provided more than thirty parking spots.
On one side of the parking lot was the road, and on the other one was a two-story motel that had stairs on each side which provided access to the rooms on the second floor. The rooms on the ground floor were accessible directly from the parking lot.
Right from the motel was a small restaurant that definitely saw better days.
Behind the restaurant was a gas station and… that was it. There was nothing else.
'Who picked this dingy place?', Marcy wondered but she swallowed her grievances. It's only one night. She will manage. Hopefully.
After checking in and getting their room keys, Marcy realized that there were only two rooms.
"Each room has two beds.", Nora explained and looked eagerly at George. "Who will be my roommate?"
Marcy felt like gagging. Can Nora be any more obvious?
"I will stay with George.", James spoke for the first time since they left the Red Moon pack.
Marcy realized that nothing works for her. She didn't want to sleep in the same room with Nora, but George was out of the question, and James didn't seem like a good choice either. Sure, they are siblings, but he will be sixteen years old soon, and they spent the last decade apart, so sharing a room was not appropriate.
Marcy's and Nora's room had a sitting area with a sofa and a television, and there was a bathroom and two beds with a four-drawer dresser between them. It was nothing fancy, but it was a bed, and the bedsheets were clean, so it will do.
Next, Marcy, Nora, George, and James headed to the restaurant.
Big glass windows of the diner revealed an interior that looked like it came from 1960-ies. Not because it was decorated in retro-style, but because it was built at that time and no renovations were done.
There were booths along the walls with a bar that provided seating. The wall behind the bar had an opening that allowed customers to see into the kitchen. Several tables were in the middle of the diner.
Furniture was metallic and dressed in red leather, and walls were brightly colored and covered with various neon signs.
Three bulky guys sat at one table, and based on bandanas and black jackets, it was obvious that they were the owners of those massive motorcycles that were on the parking lot.
"Let's sit in the booth.", Nora said enthusiastically.
Nora sat on one side, and James sat opposite from her. Marcy was quick to squeeze next to James. Her brother was not very friendly, but considering that Marcy's other option was Nora, Marcy went with James.
